Key dates in life of former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung

Key dates in life of SKorea’s Kim Dae-jung

Jan. 6, 1924 — Born in South Jeolla province in southwestern Korea during era of Japanese colonial rule. Some sources say he was born in 1925.

May 1961 — Elected to the National Assembly. Days later, Maj. Gen. Park Chung-hee seizes power in military coup and dissolves parliament.

July 1963 — Kim elected again to National Assembly.

April 1971 — Marginally loses the presidential election to Park Chung-hee.

May 1971 — Injured in car accident, leaving him with a permanent limp. Some believe it was an assassination attempt.

October 1972 — Goes into exile in Japan in protest against new constitution introduced by Park securing his future rule.

Aug. 8, 1973 — Kidnapped by suspected South Korean agents from Tokyo hotel. Released five days later following U.S. intervention; upon return to Seoul, is placed under house arrest, banned from politics and eventually imprisoned.

December 1978 — Released from prison, placed under house arrest.

Oct. 26, 1979 — Park assassinated by spy chief.

December 1979 — Kim is pardoned and freed.

May 1980 — Tens of thousands rise up in Gwangju to protest military rule; Kim is imprisoned on treason charges and sentenced to death by military tribunal.

January 1981 — Death sentence commuted to life in prison.

March 1982 — Life sentence commuted to 20 years.

Dec. 23, 1982 — Kim’s prison term is suspended; he heads to U.S. for exile.

February 1985 — Returns to South Korea and is placed under house arrest.

June 1987 — Cleared of all charges.

Dec. 16, 1987 — Loses presidential election to Roh Tae-woo, a former general.

Dec. 18, 1992 — Loses presidential election to Kim Young-sam, another former dissident.

December 1997 — Elected president of South Korea.

June 15, 2000 — Meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang in landmark summit.

December 2000 — Awarded Nobel Peace Prize for easing decades of tension with the North with the “Sunshine Policy” of offering Pyongyang aid.

February 2003 — Leaves office and is succeeded by Roh Moo-hyun.

July 13, 2009 — Hospitalized with pneumonia.

Aug. 18, 2009 — Dies in Seoul at age 85.